If you’ve just visited Germany, then you might not be all that enthused about hotdogs back in the US, after sampling all those fantastic sausages (like the bratwurst in Cooking Spoon).
But LA is a multicultural city that virtually has everything, and that includes hotdogs that will surely please your taste buds. Here, the hotdogs don’t have to be plain, as various cultural groups offer their own spins and twists on how great a hotdog can really be.
If you’re in Los Angeles and you’re hankering for hotdogs, then get yourself to the following hotdog restaurants:
Fab Hot Dogs
This place caters to the needs of transplants from the East Coast, may of whom seem to think that the hotdogs in NYC or New Jersey are the absolute best. Even if you’re an LA native, you can’t deny the inherent greatness of these East Coast-style hotdogs, usually featuring pork and beef natural casing hotdogs that come straight from New Jersey.
Here, the hotdogs are deep-fried, and then they can be customized with a wide range of toppings to pick from. And yes, you can go with the footlong versions if you’re really hungry.
Cupid’s Hot Dogs
It’s easy enough to fall in love with these hotdogs, but then again, the place has been run by the same family for generations. They know what they’re doing, starting out in 1946 with Richard and Bernice Walsh in charge.
Now the place is handled by 3rd-gen sisters Morgan and Kelly Walsh, and they’ve made some additions to the menu to meet new demands. These include plant-based hotdogs for vegetarians, along with Reuben and Chicago-style dogs for those who like to try new things. But many of their regulars still come here for the classic chili dogs, which never go out of style.
Vicious Dogs
This hotdog heaven in North Hollywood can go crazy with their hotdog concoctions, and it’s a favorite hangout of adventurous foodies. Sure, you can also go with the classic kraut dog and chili cheese dog if you want. But here, you can go with hotdogs topped with rather innovative ingredients. Try the hotdogs with chopped chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, pastrami, and jalapeño cheddar poppers.
Vivi’s Gourmet Cuisine
The name is rather cheeky, since it’s actually a street food trailer that specializes in Colombian street fare. Here, you can go with loaded hamburguesas and fresh arepas, along with souped-up versions of hotdogs.
Try a hotdog, and they’ll pile on lots of toppings that include crispy bacon, tomato, lettuce, and onions. And they even add some broken stick fries (ripio de papa) into the mix. And if that’s not enough, they then follow up with 5 different sauces. This can get messy, so ask for extra napkins!
Dog House Biergarten
If you’ve just come back after a holiday trip to Germany, then the premium ingredients in here might remind you of German cuisine. Try the all-beef skinless dog, which comes with tomato, avocado, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli, and wild arugula. And you can go with some gourmet sausages as well.
The Stand
The Stand features classic menu items with contemporary twists, so the place offers comfort food that won’t be boring at all. Here they have burger, sandwiches, wraps, and salads, and the hotdogs are excellent as well.
You can go with the Stand hot dog, featuring a quarter-pound of Vienna premium beef dog on a locally made bun. It’s up to you to pick the toppings with a maximum of 4 choices, but you can pay extra for extra toppings.
If you’re not sure what to get, then just get the Classic chili dog. This also has the quarter-pound of Vienna premium beef dog, accompanied this time by their special chili, diced tomato, shredded chaddar, and diced yellow onion.
Carney’s
If you’re on Sunset Boulevard and you find the Pacific Railroad passenger train that houses Carney’s, then consider yourself lucky. This is a no-nonsense place that specializes in offering classic chili dogs. They’ve been doing this since 1975, and the quality of these dogs is the main reason for the place’s longevity.
Meea’s
If, on the other hand, you want a really wide range of hotdog options, then this hotdog mecca in Eagle Rock is the place to be. They offer many different types of hotdogs, chili and mustard staples to hotdogs from various regions. They even have a vegan hotdog as well—this is LA, after all.